Abstract
The outline of basic characteristics, production equipment, demonstration experiments and future prospects of Biocoke (BIC) are described in this paper. BIC, devised by Ida et al. in 2006, is a new type of sold biofuel developed to replace coal-coke. BIC has several positive features, including high apparent density, high compression strength, slow combustion rate, long-term safety storage ability and high yields of mass and energy. These qualities make BIC functional as a biofuel, enabling gas and liquid to flow within a furnace in a high temperature environment. The production method apparatus for BIC was upgraded from batch operation to a continuous operating production method in 2012, which has contributed even further to an increased production rate and a reduction in energy consumption. From the results of the demonstration experiments that have been conducted since 2008, it was confirmed that BIC can be utilized not only in a cupola or a high-temperature gasifying and direct melting furnace, but also in agricultural facilities for heating. It is expected that further investigations into BIC reform will increase the substitution rate of coal-coke and further spread utilization of BIC into the world, as well as in Japan.
